Tonnis said new brews need federally-approved labeling in order to hit the shelf. The process usually takes months and is now put on hold.

"We do have a list of beers we want to release in the next couple months," Tonnis said. "We may have to put back releasing those beers for awhile while this is going on."

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approves new breweries, recipes and labels. Since the the government is shut down, Tonnis said applications aren't getting approval.

While this will delay new suds, Tonnis said it could be worse.

"I think the biggest effect in the brewing industry is going to be new breweries that are in the process of starting up right now," Tonnis said. "You have to go through some pretty extensive federal approvals."

Over at Canal Park Brewing Company, the shutdown hangover isn't so bad.

"The shutdown, for a small brewery, isn't huge unless it runs on," Brewmaster Badger Colish said.

Colish said since they aren't a production brewery, the delay for labeling doesn't play a factor. Colish still has a message for Congress.